A method for thermoforming a laminate to a part by controlling the temperature and pressure during the thermoforming. The laminate to be thermoformed may include an adhesive layer and the part may be a metal article. A thermoforming box may be used to control one of the temperature and the pressure.

Composite structures and methods of forming composite structures are provided. The composite structures can include one or more composite structure components. Each composite structure component is formed from a composite panel that includes one or more sheets of material. The sheets of material include a thermoplastic material and a plurality of reinforcing fibers. A composite panel can be formed in three dimensions to form a composite structure component. Multiple composite structure components can be fused to one another to form a composite structure. In addition, each composite structure component and the composite structure formed therefrom can include an aperture. An interior volume can be formed between adjacent composite structure components. Methods for forming a composite structure can include a step of simultaneously molding and fusing composite structure components.

The device includes a mold block having at least one thermoforming chamber (28) having an inside surface (29), an axial opening (28A) through which a decorative wrap-around label (38) can be inserted into the chamber, and a moving end-wall (40) opposite from the opening. The end-wall is suitable for moving in an end segment (28A) of the chamber (28) between a positioning high level and at least one thermoforming low level, and the device has at least one tongue-and-groove set comprising a fin (42) on the end-wall (40) that is engaged in a notch (44) in the inside surface of the end segment (28B).

A thermoforming device includes: a base configured to hold a substrate; a hot plate including a heating surface facing vertically downward; a sheet transport portion that supplies a sheet onto the heating surface of the hot plate; and a substrate supply portion configured to attach the substrate to the base and detach the substrate from the base, and to dispose the substrate at a substrate supply position positioned in a lower area of the sheet which is opposite to a side of the sheet in which the heating surface is provided. In the thermoforming device, heating of the sheet using the hot plate and attachment and detachment of the substrate with respect to the base are performable at the same time, and the sheet heated and softened by the hot plate is attached to the substrate at the substrate supply position.

A molding device of an inbuilt component fixing section of a fuel tank includes: a projection member that projects out at a placement face onto which a resin sheet that will form a tank configuration member is disposed in a molten state, and that molds a hollow bulge section in the resin sheet; an elastic body that covers the projection member, and that expands and applies pressure to the bulge section from the inside due to a non-compressible fluid being supplied into a sealed space formed between the elastic body and the projection member; a fluid supply device that supplies the fluid into the sealed space in a state in which the bulge section has penetrated through a fixing hole provided in an inbuilt component; and a fixing member that fixes a location of the elastic body corresponding to a leading end portion to the leading end portion.

A method of forming a vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet, the method comprising providing first and second sheets of material. The first sheet of material is thermoformed over a first forming tool forming a first intermediate structure. The first intermediate structure is then thermoformed over a second forming mold to create a second intermediate structure. The second sheet of material is then sealing connected with the second intermediate structure forming an annular space. A vacuum is created in the annular space creating a vacuum insulated cabinet.

A method of forming a vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet, the method comprising providing first and second sheets of material. The first sheet of material is thermoformed over a first forming tool forming a first intermediate structure. The first intermediate structure is then thermoformed over a second forming mold to create a second intermediate structure. The second sheet of material is then sealing connected with the second intermediate structure forming an annular space. A vacuum is created in the annular space creating a vacuum insulated cabinet.

A method of manufacturing a fuel tank includes: an introducing process in which a molten resin sheet formed with a tank body is introduced in a forming mold; a shaping process in which a movable member abuts against the molten resin sheet to form a molten resin projection projected in a thickness direction of the molten resin sheet; an arranging process in which the molten resin projection is inserted in an attachment hole provided in an attachment part, and the attachment part is arranged on the molten resin sheet; and a machining process in which the molten resin projection is pressurized by a pressurizing member, so as to bulge out a portion of the molten resin projection to an outer peripheral side.

A method of manufacturing a fuel tank includes: an introducing process in which a molten resin sheet formed with a tank body is introduced in a forming mold; a shaping process in which a movable member abuts against the molten resin sheet to form a molten resin projection projected in a thickness direction of the molten resin sheet; an arranging process in which the molten resin projection is inserted in an attachment hole provided in an attachment part, and the attachment part is arranged on the molten resin sheet; and a machining process in which the molten resin projection is pressurized by a pressurizing member, so as to bulge out a portion of the molten resin projection to an outer peripheral side.

A method of making an article of footwear may include applying an environmental pressure differential across a sheet of upper material to conform the sheet of upper material to a portion of a footwear last, thereby forming at least a portion of an upper of the article of footwear. In addition, the method may include assembling the article of footwear including fixedly attaching the upper of the article of footwear to a sole structure.